1 day sober

[TooManyPlatesInMotion]

I didn't have a drink last night for the first time in months. I have a problem, and I really want to make some changes.

I'm 43 and I suppose alcohol has been an issue on and off since my early 20s, with periods of sobriety for the duration of three pregnancies. Otherwise, i have managed the odd week off here and there but it always escalates again.

I am overweight, unfit and feel dreadful, constantly tired and anxious. Drinking, on average two thirds of a bottle of wine or cava a night, much more over Xmas. I just can't do it any more. My kids need me to be better than this.

I'm looking into both Smart Recovery and AA.

Can anyone recommend some good podcasts that might help?

Thank you.

Me too! I'm 38 and on day 2. Also have issues with drinking, and realised I'll die/lose my home and husband if I don't quit.

The anxiety and depression with the hangovers became completely overwhelming last year. I was frequently suicidal.

I hope we can do this.

I've done naked mind/alcohol experiment before but didn't follow it through. I've cleared the house of alcohol this time.

One for the Road with Sober Dave and look up Annie Grace This Naked Mind. Well done on your first day! Take one day at a time.

I hear you @crazycrypty . The hangovers have become totally impossible for me too.

The thought of dying reasonably young due to the booze and leaving my kids is haunting me.

We can do it. Hang on in there.

Hi Op. today will be my first night.
so I’m one day behind you. But hope to keep in your tailwind or whatever the term
is in cycling where you get behind the leader!
what was your coping trick for last night?

@TooManyPlatesInMotion

Congratulations for realising you need to do this.

I'm sorry I don't have experience or advice for you.

I just wanted to send strength to you to deal with it 💪🏼

@Lightsbonaza slipstream! By all means do!

Last night.... It helped that I had some tv i really wanted to watch (Happy Valley) and I lined myself up a ginger beer and some nice cheese. I went to bed as early as possible and read. I told myself that even if I only managed one night it was better than nothing.

The thought of not having my precious crutch of wine was horrible but the reality was not as bad as the thought. I haven't had an alcohol free night for months and the thought scared me tbh but I got through it and did my first morning back at work without tbe usual crippling anxiety.

So to keep the cycling metaphor, jump on my back wheel and let's do it!

Much appreciated @SkylightSkylight

I can't recommend any resources, but as the adult child of an alcoholic mother, let me tell you all that you are doing something amazing.

DM will celebrate 44 years sobriety later this month.

I’m in too, haven’t had a drink free evening for over a month so todays the day I start. I’m just in a fog right now, can’t be bothered do am desperately seeking my mojo. Great work and am looking forward to us all smashing this AF life 😍

@IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads that is brilliant. You must be very pleased and proud of her!

@Anapana well done and good luck for this eve.

i am starting today. I drink far too much and is related to my DH cancer diagnosis. He is a shadow of his former self and I am struggling with how my life is now. I feel like i am living with a sick old person. I know it is unhealthy but i hide in the kitchen and open wine. I have stopped before and felt amazing but its staying stopped for me...

So I have joined a 8 week online fitness programme, focussing on calorie counting, steps and not drinking. Good luck everyone

Hi OP, have you tried the I Am Sober app? It allows you to set a clock which shows you exactly how long you've been sober for and also you can connect with other people who are on a similar journey. Maybe not for everyone, but when I was questioning my own relationship with alcohol I found it to be helpful. Good luck x

@rogueone I am very sorry to hear about your DH. Is he receiving treatment currently? Good luck with your 8 week programme, it sounds very good.

@Meg2496 thanks for the recommendation. I'm off to have a look at that now.

I'm going to join you, Day 1 here. I had been listening to the soberful podcasts before Christmas which were really good, I'd listen on my commute to work. My drinking has been bad over Christmas again. Back to work tomorrow so I'm going to have an early night tonight and plan to start listening to the podcasts again tomorrow

Hi @confusedlots those sound good, i'll have a look.

Just downloaded the I Am Sober app.

Joining as well.

I did really well in 2021 but 2022 was bad. I have to change my relationship with wine. Its hard.

First of all, admitting you have an issue is a massive first step. Well done.

A very close family member turned their life around with the AA. It was rough to start, I would be lying if I said it was a bed of roses but they are very close to the one year mark and I am so proud. I appreciate AA may not work for everyone however I believe it’s the biggest support available.

Please reach out to someone you trust if you ever feel you need to.

I wish everyone on this journey the very best.

Joining too, l quit New Year's Day 22 years of binges, I'm turning 40 this summer and I'm turning this around. Dh is doing it too.
Hardest part for me is it was my social crutch and I'm feeling quite vulnerable and exposed, I hope people like the quiet sober me.

I've decided I need to do do something about the amount I drink, and have drunk since 2020. Lockdown and boredom followed by mental health issues and a job I hate meant that from 2020 onwards I have drunk pretty much every night during week and then a bottle over the weekend. I have been in denial about it I think but I'm sick of having a constant bad head and just feeling lousy. I've also spent a hell of a lot of money on booze over the last 2 years and furious that I could have paid my credit card off with that.
I'm hoping that if I can check in on here as a first step then I can stay motivated to stay dry.

Hi @ecdysis and @bottledgrapes 👋

Thanks for joining and it is reassuring to hear from others in the same boat. @bottledgrapes it is lovely that your DH is joining you too. Mine isn't (at least not beyond Dry Jan) and this has previously been an issue as he is a big drinker and really doesn't see the issue with it.

I had a browse of both Smart Recovery and AA meetungs this afternoon. I don't have much free time in between the kids and work but there are online options so think i might try an online Smart Recovery meeting tomorrow.

I have just read the unexpected joy of being sober. Definitely worth a read!

So, yesterday was my second sober day and evening.

Evenings are tough and I kind of dread them, but i managed last night. Watched some TV and stole some of the kids' chocolate.

I have a constant headache as I think my body misses all the sugar found in wine as much as anything.

How is everyone else holding up?
@crazycrypty
@Lightsbonaza
@Anapana
@rogueone
@confusedlots
@ecdysis
@bottledgrapes
@twistyizzy

Well done op. You feeling ok?

I'm still going. It's nice waking up without the sense of fear and doom.

I saw something on Instagram I liked, a quote that said "Drinking because you've had a hard day only guarantees that tomorrow will be even harder". That rang some bells for me.

Second day alcohol free for me too although tonight will be the real challenge as I'm back to work tomorrow and have got anxiety about it. Normally I would deal with this by pouring a glass or 2 of wine the evening before but I've bought a bottle of tonic water instead and will have a tonic and orange instead.
Sorry you aren't feeling great but you are probably correct in that it is your body withdrawing. Well done on getting through last night, chocolate definitely helps as a distraction.
If the temptation gets too much tonight I'm just going to have a shower and go to bed, even if it just means sitting in bed watching a film.

Well done @twistyizzy and @crazycrypty

That instagram post is bang on. A hangover truly does make absolutely anything and everything feel that much worse.

I'm feeling ok to be honest apart from the headache, it is amazing not to be plagued with guilt and anxiety! I have also set up the I Am Sober app so that it counts the money i'm saving, which is a big incentive for me as I am going to treat myself to a massage with the savings.